It is hard to imagine Zinedine Zidane looking back on his playing days and feeling like he missed out on anything, but the French legend has admitted there is one club he really wished he had played for.
From his breakthrough as a world star at Juventus, to dominating the game with Real Madrid, and international glory with France, too, there is very little Zidane could say he has not achieved as a footballer.
But, like any top professional, there will always be that itch for more. It could be more trophies, more goals, or simply, being able to say you represented your boyhood club.
It is the latter that fills Zidane with regret, as he told Marseille’s official website that he wished he could have played for the club at some point, having been born and raised in the French city.
“Olympique Marseille is in a good position. I never played here, but it was a desire that was never fulfilled,” Zidane said. “To be here at La Commanderie, to see the facilities…it looks like a big club. There are some really interesting things.”
Zidane bypassed his local side in his early days, developing through the AS Cannes academy before joining Bordeaux, where he remained for four years before that all-important move to Juventus.
Zidane named the goal against Bayer Leverkusen as his favourite (Image: Getty)
Of course, Zidane established himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time during his stay at Real Madrid between 2001 and 2006, and it is there that he called time on his career.
Many players in the modern game often head back to their boyhood clubs for a final swansong, but Zidane was so good, he never needed to take a step down from the very top level.
Ten years later, Zidane returned to Real Madrid to begin his managerial career, and he has now had two stints in the top job at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Getty)
Perhaps one day, Zidane will take on the manager’s role at Marseille to help him fulfill that dream of representing his local club. He is currently out of work as things stand, but has been linked with various top jobs in the past.
However, despite strong rumours suggesting he could take over at Manchester United one day, his agent has insisted the English game is not something that would suit Zidane.